Tattoo and body art professionals are trying to survive. These entrepreneurs are trained and skilled professionals who adhere to strict guidelines provided by the Board of Health and should be afforded the right to generate income. Our state is an anchor for many entrepreneurs to provide a home, safety, and nutritious food for their families, which is now being threatened by regulations that disproportionality impact tattoo artists and body art professionals. Poverty is a well known contributor to raise violence, addiction, homelessness, mental illness, and suicide. Continuing to restrict tattoo artists and body art professionals from generating income threatens the foundation of our community that has made great strides in reducing poverty, homelessness, and mental illness. Tattoo artists and body art professionals need to safely reopen their doors for business to allow Indiana to continue to make strides. Eric Holcomb proudly said "Indiana is ushering in an era of record job commitments, record infrastructure investments, and new career training opportunities, all while tackling our biggest issues head-on." Putting people first means allowing small shops and entrepreneurs to exercise their right to practice safely, which keeps Indiana as a leader in community growth.

Cigar stores in Dallas County are closed because the businesses are considered non essential. Like liquor, tobacco is a product people have legally used and enjoyed since before the founding of this Country. Curb side is safe for food and liquor, why not tobacco? It is nuance without a difference. When I see 80 cars at Loews and 50 cars at major liquor stores what is the impact of 1 or 2 cars at the cigar store? It is safer! Allowing a customer to order ahead and pick up on a couple of cigars at curb side at a Cigar store is safer than it is to go through the drive through at McDonalds.

So far the best Gym I have been to in Greenville SC. This gym Met all of the major requirements a true gym rat needed: functional equipment, always clean, family environment, friendly staff, knowledgeable trainers and great hours of operation! This gym was the best gym I have ever trained at! The gym was always crowded and seemed to be profitable. This location is also the one location that is centrally located. We “all member’s” are very upset this location is the one closing in SC!

As health and fitness professionals as well as small business owners, we want to make sure that when we begin our work again, we do so in a way that protects the health and safety of our members and community. We have developed a white paper that spells out what we think are best practices and standards for the fitness industry to reopen and operate safely and effectively. Our gyms allow us to engage in these powerful preventative measures in a manner that is far safer than any grocery store, bakery, liquor store, retail outlet, or gas station; all of which are still operating as "essential" businesses. Not to mention, other “gyms” cannot do what we do as we have hundreds of members, whereas they have thousands. Not to mention, when our clients are healthier, they are more readily able to fight disease!

Skies are more clear. Smog no longer hangs over our highways like a haze. Life seems more balanced these days between life and family. Coffee at home tastes better. Road rage is no longer a problem. No longer must a commuter fear being struck by a drunk or intoxicated driver on their way to work. These are just a few reasons why working from home is the employment mantra of the future. Additionally, working from home reduces costs to companies such as rent, space and other facilities and has been shown to increase productivity among employees. COVID-19 has forced traditional, corporate culture to rethink how to be more efficient and, in many cases, just survive. We are discovering that companies are more capable than they thought when they allow their employees to telecommute. Working from home has shown to improve morale, improve productivity and protect commuters from tragic accidents on the way to work. Employees also have more free time to devote to their families, and it forces them to reflect on what’s most important to them in their lives. Working remotely not only promotes a better work-life balance but also allows individuals more time and energy to put towards projects that moves society forward.

Because it falls under hygiene… Some jobs require specifications for lengths of haircuts such as military, delivery services in the food industry. Also pertains to medical nurses and doctors. One nurse quoted:”I want to feel & look good for my patients.” Hairstylists need to be able to go back to work and provide an essential hygienic service – mostly haircuts

You might ask, why is this so important!? Beauty professionals are at risk of survival. We are facing grave financial hardships due to the pandemic.

Independent Beauty Professionals rely on the income from clients. They cannot perform a haircut online. While the “beauty industry is deemed “Non essential”, the ability to practice their craft is very ESSENTIAL to their livelihood. They are facing a grave financial hardship.

The survival of small business such as Hair Salons, Barbershops, Nail technician and ALL licensed beauty professionals is at risk. We are facing a grave financial hardship

The survival of the independent beauty professionals is at risk. We are facing a grave financial hardship.

Here in New York City every night at 7PM EST, we show our thanks and appreciation by applauding from our windows to honor the essential workers who are making sure we are safe and healthy, we have the food we need, our lights are on, and our water is running. That undoubtedly makes an impact night after night. What would make an even bigger impact is ensuring that their rights are protected and that essential workers all across America are going to work each day with proper protective gear, hazard pay, and guaranteed sick pay and medical and family leave. This, in addition to the other rights that we are fighting for, will make a real difference in the lives of essential workers all across America. On a personal note: I, like so many Americans, have lost work due to the coronavirus crisis. As someone who would typically be disqualified from receiving UI, I have immense gratitude for Democrats insisting that unemployment benefits be expanded to include gig workers and freelancers. Now, I am asking you to help petition expanding the care even further. Let's get our essential workers protected in the next stimulus package. I'm signing this for my father and my family members who are essential workers. This petition is for you, your loved ones, your friends -- it's a no-brainer. Let's stand in solidarity with our workers on the front lines. Call your representatives. Sign the petition TODAY.

Why is this important? The survival of the independent beauty professionals is at risk. Most beauty professionals are sole proprietors and not allowed to file for Wisconsin unemployment until April 21. Not to mention most of the banks that are filing SBA loans are still waiting for guidance from the Federal Government, so we are placed at the bottom of the list when it comes to even APPLYING for these loans.